Medical push connectors

ABSTRACT

Medical push connectors and systems are provided. A medical push connector can include an engagement member operatively coupled to a release member. The engagement member may releasably couple a medical device to the medical push connector. Medical push connector systems may include one or more medical devices and a medical push connector coupled to, or coupleable to, the one or more medical devices.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/377,944, filed on Aug. 22, 2016 and titled, “Medical Push Connectors”which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to medical push connectors.More specifically, the present disclosure relates to medical pushconnectors configured to couple a first medical device to a secondmedical device. This disclosure also relates to medical push connectorsystems including one or more medical devices and a medical pushconnector coupled to, or coupleable to, the one or more medical devices.Related methods are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. While various aspects of the embodiments arepresented in drawings, the drawings depict only typical embodiments,which will be described with additional specificity and detail throughuse of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a high-pressure fluid displacement medicaldevice including a medical push connector.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a detail view of a portion of the medical device of FIG. 2,indicated by line 3A-3A, in a first configuration.

FIG. 3B is a detail view of the portion of the medical device of FIG. 3Ain a second configuration.

FIG. 3C is a detail view of the portion of the medical device of FIG. 3Ain a third configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a medical push connectorsystem.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the medical push connectorsystem of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a detail view of a portion of the medical push connectorsystem of FIGS. 4 and 5 coupled to an elongate medical device.

FIG. 6B is a detail view of the portion of the medical push connectorsystem of FIG. 6A coupled to another embodiment of an elongate medicaldevice.

FIG. 6C is a detail view of the portion of the medical push connectorsystem of FIG. 6A coupled to yet another embodiment of an elongatemedical device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a medical pushconnector.

FIG. 8A is a partial cut-away view of a portion of a medical pushconnector in a first configuration.

FIG. 8B is a partial cut-away view of the portion of the medical pushconnector of FIG. 8A in a second configuration.

FIG. 8C is a partial cut-away view of the portion of the medical pushconnector of FIG. 8A in a third configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to medicalpush connectors and medical push connector systems. In some embodiments,the medical push connector includes an engagement member operativelycoupled to a release member. The engagement member may be configured toreleasably couple a medical device to the medical push connector. Incertain embodiments, the medical push connector systems may include oneor more medical devices (e.g., a high-pressure fluid displacementmedical device) and a medical push connector coupled to, or configuredto be coupled to, the one or more medical devices.

It will be appreciated that various features are sometimes groupedtogether in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. Many of these features may beused alone and/or in combination with one another.

Embodiments may be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein likeparts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readilyunderstood that the components of the present disclosure, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, thefollowing more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatusis not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merelyrepresentative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail. While the various aspects of the embodiments arepresented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scaleunless specifically indicated.

The phrases “connected to,” “coupled to,” and “in communication with”refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, includingbut not limited to mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic,fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to eachother even though they are not in direct contact with each other. Forexample, two components may be coupled to each other through anintermediate component.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” refer to opposite ends of a medicaldevice, including the devices disclosed herein. As used herein, theproximal portion of a medical device is the portion nearest apractitioner during use, while the distal portion is the portion at theopposite end. For example, the proximal end of a medical push connectoris defined as the end closest to the practitioner during utilization ofthe medical push connector. The distal end is the end opposite theproximal end, along the longitudinal direction of the medical pushconnector.

The term “resilient” refers to a component, device, or object having aparticular shape that can then be elastically deformed into a differentshape, but that may return to the original shape when unconstrained. Forexample, a resilient element or arm of an engagement member may have afirst shape when unconstrained (i.e., when not engaged with a releasemember) and, in use, the resilient element may then be constrained(i.e., temporarily engaged with the release member) to elasticallydeform the resilient element into a second shape (i.e., displacedradially outward due to interaction with a portion of the releasemember), then unconstrained (i.e., removed from engagement with therelease member) such that the resilient element returns to its firstshape or substantially returns to its first shape.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a high-pressure fluid displacement medicaldevice 150. As depicted, the high-pressure fluid displacement medicaldevice 150 is a syringe. In some embodiments, the high-pressure fluiddisplacement medical device 150 may be a heart pump, any medical deviceconfigured for use at a pressure of greater than about 5 atm(atmospheres), any medical device configured for use at a pressure ofgreater than about 10 atm, or another suitable medical device. Thesyringe 150 can include a syringe body 155 and a plunger 160. In someembodiments, the plunger 160 may be configured to be disposed and/ordisplaceable within at least a portion of a barrel 165 of the syringebody 155.

A medical push connector 100, also referred to herein as a medicalconnector, may be coupled to or disposed at a distal end 153 of thesyringe 150. As illustrated, the medical connector 100 may include abody 110 having a proximal end or first end 112 and a distal end orsecond end 114. The medical connector 100 may also include a firstrelease member 120 a and a second release member 120 b. In some otherembodiments, the medical connector 100 may include only one releasemember. For example, the body 110 may not be Y-shaped (e.g., the bodymay be I-shaped) and may include only a single release member. In yetsome other embodiments, the medical connector 100 may include three,four, or another suitable number of release members.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the syringe 150 of FIG. 1. As shown,the plunger 160 can include a seal member 170. In certain embodiments,the seal member 170 may be integrally molded with the plunger 160. Incertain other embodiments, the seal member 170 may be a discretecomponent of the syringe 150 and the seal member 170 may be coupled tothe plunger 160 (e.g., to a distal end of the plunger 160). A reservoir175 may be disposed within at least a portion of the syringe body 155.For example, the reservoir 175 may be disposed within the syringe body155 between each of the seal member 170 and the medical connector 100.

FIG. 3A is a detail view of the medical connector 100 of the syringe 150of FIG. 2, indicated by line 3A-3A, in a first configuration. FIG. 3B isa detail view of the medical connector 100 in a second configuration,and FIG. 3C depicts the medical connector 100 in a third configuration.As discussed above, the medical connector 100 can include a body 110having a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114. A body lumen 116 canextend through at least a portion of the body 110. For example, the bodylumen 116 may extend between the proximal end 112 and the distal end 114of the body 110 such that there is fluid communication between theproximal end 112 and the distal end 114.

A first release member 120 a can be coupled to the body 110 at oradjacent the distal end 114 of the body 110. As shown, the first releasemember 120 a can include a first release member lumen 122 a, wherein thefirst release member lumen 122 a is in communication (e.g., fluidcommunication) with the body lumen 116. The first release member lumen122 a can extend through at least a portion of the first release member120 a. For example, the first release member lumen 122 a can extendbetween each of a distal end and a proximal end of the first releasemember 120 a.

The medical connector 100 can further include a first engagement member130 a. In some embodiments, the first engagement member 130 a may beoperatively coupled to the first release member 120 a. In certainembodiments, the first engagement member 130 a may be configured toreleasably couple a medical device to the medical connector 100. Forexample, a practitioner may dispose at least a portion of a firstelongate medical device 15 a within at least a portion of the firstrelease member lumen 122 a, and at least a portion of the firstengagement member 130 a may be configured to engage at least a portionof the first elongate medical device 15 a such that the first elongatemedical device 15 a is coupled to the medical connector 100.

In various embodiments, the first engagement member 130 a can includeone or more resilient elements or arms 132 a. For example, the firstengagement member 130 a can include one, two, three, four, or moreresilient elements 132 a. The one or more resilient elements 132 a maybe configured to engage a medical device when the medical device isdisposed within at least a portion of the body lumen 116 (e.g., via thefirst release member lumen 122 a). For example, the one or moreresilient elements 132 a may be configured to engage and/or interactwith an outer surface of the first elongate medical device 15 a. In someembodiments, the resilient elements 132 a may comprise angled tabsconfigured to frictionally engage with and/or bite or cut into anoutside diameter of the elongate medical device 15 a. The resilientelements 132 a may be disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinalaxis of the elongate medical device 15 a to facilitate this engagement.

Further, the resilient elements 132 a may be configured to deflectradially outward as the elongate medical device 15 a is inserted intothe medical connector 100 to engage with the elongate medical device 15a and to prevent the elongate medical device 15 a from being pulled fromthe medical connector 100.

In certain embodiments, the medical connector 100 may be configured tocouple the first elongate medical device 15 a in a coupling state.Further, the medical connector 100 may be configured to uncouple thefirst elongate medical device 15 a in an uncoupling state. In thecoupling state (see FIG. 3B), the first release member 120 a may bedisengaged from, or configured to be disengaged from, the one or moreresilient elements 132 a such that at least a portion of each of the oneor more resilient elements 132 a deflects radially inward relative to alongitudinal axis of the first release member lumen 122 a. Statedanother way, the first release member 120 a may be disposed such that itdoes not interact with the one or more resilient elements 132 a in thecoupling state.

In the uncoupling state (see FIG. 3C), the first release member 120 amay be configured to engage or interact with the one or more resilientelements 132 a such that at least a portion of each of the one or moreresilient element 132 a deflects radially outward relative to alongitudinal axis of the first release member lumen 122 a. Statedanother way, a practitioner may “push” or actuate the first releasemember 120 a such that at least a portion of the first release member120 a engages with the one or more resilient elements 132 a to disengagethe one or more resilient elements 132 a from the first elongate medicaldevice 15 a. Accordingly, upon “pushing” or actuation of the firstrelease member 120 a by the practitioner, the first elongate medicaldevice 15 a may be uncoupled from the medical connector 100. That is,“pushing” or actuation of the first release member 120 a can transitionthe medical push connector 100 from the coupling state to the uncouplingstate.

The medical connector 100 can further include a first seal 118 a (e.g.,an O-ring seal). The first seal 118 a can be disposed within at least aportion of the body lumen 116. As illustrated, the first seal 118 a isdisposed within the body lumen 116 at a position at or adjacent theproximal end of the first release member lumen 122 a. Further, the firstseal 118 a can be disposed on or adjacent a first shoulder 117 a. Invarious embodiments, the first seal 118 a may be configured to sealinglyengage a medical device (e.g., the first elongate medical device 15 a)when at least a portion of the first medical device is disposed withinthe body lumen 116. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B the first seal 118a may seal against an outside diameter of the elongate medical device 15a.

With reference to FIG. 3B, a practitioner may dispose at least a portionof the first elongate medical device 15 a (as indicated by the arrow)through the first release member lumen 122 a of the first release member120 a and into at least a portion of the body lumen 116. Upon such adisposition of the first elongate medical device 15 a, the first seal118 a may engage and/or interact with at least a portion of the firstelongate medical device 15 a (e.g., an outside diameter of the firstelongate medical device 15 a) and form a seal between the first seal 118a, the medical connector 100, and/or the first elongate medical device15 a.

In various other embodiments, the medical connector 100 may lack a firstseal 118 a. Accordingly, the first shoulder 117 a may be configured tosealingly engage the first elongate medical device 15 a when at least aportion of the first elongate medical device 15 a is disposed within thebody lumen 116.

As depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, a second release member 120 b can also becoupled to the body 110 at or adjacent the distal end 114 of the body110. As depicted, the second release member 120 b can be coupled to thebody 110 at or adjacent the distal end 114 of the body 110 at a positionadjacent to and/or displaced from the position wherein the first releasemember 120 a is coupled to the body 110. Analogous to the first releasemember 120 a, the second release member 120 b can include a secondrelease member lumen 122 b in communication with the body lumen 116. Thesecond release member lumen 122 b can extend through at least a portionof the second release member 120 b.

The medical connector 100 can further include a second engagement member130 b. In some embodiments, the second engagement member 130 b may beoperatively coupled to the second release member 120 b. In certainembodiments, the second engagement member 130 b may be configured toreleasably couple a medical device (e.g., a second elongate medicaldevice 15 b) to the medical connector 100.

The medical connector 100 can further include a second seal 118 b (e.g.,an O-ring seal). The second seal 118 b can be disposed within at least aportion of the body lumen 116. As illustrated, the second seal 118 b isdisposed within the body lumen 116 at a position adjacent the proximalend of the second release member lumen 122 b. Further, the first seal118 a can be disposed on or adjacent a second shoulder 117 b. Withreference to FIG. 3B, a practitioner may dispose at least a portion of asecond elongate medical device 15 b (as indicated by the arrow) throughthe second release member lumen 122 b of the second release member 120 band into at least a portion of the body lumen 116. Upon such adisposition of the second elongate medical device 15 b, the second seal118 b may engage and/or interact with at least a portion of the secondelongate medical device 15 b and form a seal between the second seal 118b, the medical connector 100, and/or the second elongate medical device15 b.

In various other embodiments, the medical connector 100 may lack asecond seal 118 b. Accordingly, the second shoulder 117 b may beconfigured to sealingly engage the second elongate medical device 15 bwhen at least a portion of the second elongate medical device 15 b isdisposed within the body lumen 116.

The medical connector 100 may further include a first proximal shoulder119 a disposed proximal of the first shoulder 117 a and a secondproximal shoulder 119 b disposed proximal of the second shoulder 117 b.The first and second proximal shoulders 119 a, 119 b may interact with aproximal end of the elongate medical devices 15 a, 15 b to provide apositive proximal stop for the elongate medical devices 15 a, 15 b withrespect to the medical connector 100. For example, in the configurationshown in FIG. 3B the proximal ends of the elongate medical devices 15 a,15 b are disposed in contact with the first and second proximalshoulders 119 a, 119 b.

As illustrated, the body lumen 116 of the medical connector 100 issubstantially Y-shaped. Stated another way, the body lumen 116 includesthree openings, wherein two openings are disposed at or adjacent thedistal end 114 of the body 110, and a third opening is disposed at oradjacent the proximal end 112 of the body 110 (e.g., the third opening,as depicted, can be disposed between the body lumen 116 and thereservoir 175 of the syringe 150 (see FIG. 2)). Other configurations ofthe medical connector 100 are also within the scope of this disclosure.For example, in some embodiments, the medical connector may only includeone release member, seal, and/or engagement member. In some otherembodiments, the medical connector may include three or more releasemembers, seals, and/or engagement members. Other embodiments of medicalconnectors are also described in further detail below.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a medical push connector system 280, alsoreferred to herein as a medical connector system, including anembodiment of a medical connector 200 that can, in certain respects,resemble components of the medical connector 100 described in connectionwith FIGS. 1-3C. It will be appreciated that all the illustratedembodiments may have analogous features. Accordingly, like features aredesignated with like reference numerals, with the leading digitsincremented to “2.” For instance, the body is designated as “110” inFIGS. 1-3C, and an analogous body is designated as “210” in FIGS. 4 and5. Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identifiedfeatures thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific featuresof the medical connector 100 and related components shown in FIGS. 1-3Cmay not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings orspecifically discussed in the written description that follows. However,such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, asfeatures depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect tosuch embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of suchfeatures apply equally to the features of the medical connector 200 ofFIGS. 4 and 5. Any suitable combination of the features, and variationsof the same, described with respect to the medical connector 100 andcomponents illustrated in FIGS. 1-3C can be employed with the medicalconnector 200 and components of FIGS. 4 and 5, and vice versa. Thispattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted insubsequent figures and described hereafter.

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a medical connector system 280. FIG. 5is an exploded view of the portion of the medical connector system 280of FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the medical connector system 280 mayinclude a medical connector 200. The medical connector 200 may include abody 210, wherein the body 210 has a proximal end or first end 212 and adistal end or second end 214. A body lumen 216 may also extend throughat least a portion of the body 210. For example, the body lumen 216 mayextend between the proximal end 212 and the distal end 214 of the body210 and/or the medical connector 200.

In certain embodiments, a first release member 220 a may be coupled tothe body 210 at or adjacent the distal end 214 of the body 210. Asdepicted, the medical connector 200 may include two release members 220a, 220 b. In some embodiments, the medical connector 200 may includeonly one release member. In some other embodiments, the medicalconnector 200 may include three, four, five, or more release members. Inyet some other embodiments, as discussed in further detail below, themedical connector 200 may lack a release member. With reference to FIGS.4 and 5, the first release member 220 a may include a first releasemember lumen 222 a in communication (e.g., fluid communication) with thebody lumen 216. Analogously, the second release member 220 b may includea second release member lumen 222 b that is also in communication withthe body lumen 216.

The first release member 220 a may be operatively coupled to, or may beconfigured to be operatively coupled to, a first engagement member 230a. Analogously, the second release member 220 b may be operativelycoupled to, or may be configured to be operatively coupled to, a secondengagement member 230 b.

The medical connector system 280 may also include one or more elongatemedical devices 290 a, 290 b. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict only a portion ofeach of the elongate medical devices 290 a, 290 b. The first elongatemedical device 290 a may include an elongate member 292 a, wherein theelongate member 292 a has a proximal or first end 293 a and a distal orsecond end (not shown). Analogously, the second elongate medical device290 b may include an elongate member 292 b, wherein the elongate member292 b has a proximal or first end 293 b and a distal or second end (notshown). Furthermore, a first or second elongate member lumen 295 a, 295b may be disposed within a portion of each of the first or secondelongate member 292 a, 292 b, respectively. The first and secondelongate member lumens 295 a, 295 b may extend from the first ends 293a, 293 b, respectively, along at least a portion of the lengths of thefirst and second elongate members 292 a, 292 b, respectively. In variousembodiments, the first engagement member 230 a may releasably couple, ormay be configured to releasably couple, at least a portion of themedical connector 200 to the first end 293 a of the first elongatemedical device 290 a. Analogously, the second engagement member 230 bmay releasably couple, or may be configured to releasably couple, atleast a portion of the medical connector 200 to the first end 293 b ofthe second elongate medical device 290 b.

In some embodiments, an elongate medical device may be a thin-walledelongate medical device. An elongate medical device including a thinwall may permit greater fluid flow through a lumen of the thin-walledelongate medical device than another elongate medical device having athicker wall and a substantially similar outside diameter. Thethin-walled elongate medical device may further have a hardened and/orreinforced end such that the thin-walled elongate medical device may becoupled to a medical connector without damaging or compromising theintegrity of the thin-walled elongate medical device.

The first engagement member 230 a may include one or more resilientelements or arms 232 a. In some embodiments, the first engagement member230 a may include one, two, three, four, five, or more resilientelements 232 a. Furthermore, at least a portion of the first releasemember 220 a may be configured to engage at least a portion of the oneor more resilient elements 232 a such that at least a portion of the oneor more resilient elements 232 a is displaced radially outward relativeto a longitudinal axis of the first release member lumen 222 a in anuncoupling state (e.g., a state wherein an elongate medical device isuncoupled or disengaged from the medical connector). The first releasemember 220 a is further configured to be disengaged from the one or moreresilient elements 232 a such that at least a portion of the one or moreresilient elements 232 a is displaced radially inward relative to thelongitudinal axis of the first release member lumen 222 a in a couplingstate (e.g., a state wherein an elongate medical device is coupled orengaged to the medical connector). The second engagement member 230 bmay be configured in a manner analogous to the first engagement member230 a, as discussed above.

With reference to FIG. 5, a first seal 218 a may be disposed within atleast a portion of the body lumen 216. In some embodiments, the firstseal 218 a may be configured to sealably engage the first end 293 a ofthe first elongate medical device 290 a when the first elongate medicaldevice 290 a is disposed within at least a portion of the body lumen216. For example, at least a portion of the first end 293 a of the firstelongate medical device 290 a may press against or engage at least aportion of the first seal 218 a to form a seal. Furthermore, a secondseal 218 b may be configured to be disposed within at least anotherportion of the body lumen 216. In some embodiments, the second seal 218b may be configured to sealably engage the first end 293 b of the secondelongate medical device 290 b when the second elongate medical device290 b is disposed within at least a portion of the body lumen 216. Forexample, at least a portion of the first end 293 b of the secondelongate medical device 290 b may press against or engage at least aportion of the second seal 218 b to form a seal.

In various embodiments, the medical connector 200 may lack the firstseal 218 a and/or the second seal 218 b. Accordingly, a first shoulderand/or a second shoulder (analogous the first and second shoulders 117a, 117 b as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 3A-3C) may beconfigured to sealingly engage the first and/or second elongate medicaldevices 290 a, 290 b when at least a portion of the first and/or secondelongate medical devices 290 a, 290 b are disposed within the body lumen216.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional detail view of an elongate medical device390 coupled to a portion of a medical connector 300 (e.g., as part of amedical connector system). As depicted, the elongate medical device 390may include a high friction zone 396. In some embodiments, the highfriction zone 396 may be disposed on at least a portion of an outsidesurface of the elongate medical device 390. For example, the highfriction zone 396 may be an annular high friction zone 396 that isdisposed around the outer surface of the elongate medical device 390 ator adjacent a proximal or first end 393 of the elongate medical device390. The high friction zone 396 may engage, or be configured to engage,at least a portion of an engagement member 330, for example, when atleast a portion of the elongate medical device 390 is disposed within atleast a portion of a release member lumen 322. In the coupling state, asdiscussed above, one or more resilient elements or arms 332 of theengagement member 330 may be configured to engage the high friction zone396 when at least a portion of the elongate medical device 390 isdisposed within the release member lumen 322 and/or a body lumen 316.The high friction zone 396 may be configured to enhance the coupling ofthe medical connector 300 to the elongate medical device 390 incomparison to an elongate medical device lacking a high friction zone.For example, one or more radially projecting surfaces of the highfriction zone 396 can engage with the one or more resilient elements 332of the engagement member 330 to securely couple the elongate medicaldevice 390 to the medical connector 300.

As discussed above, a seal 318 may also be disposed within at least aportion of the body lumen 316 (e.g., on or adjacent a shoulder 317),wherein the seal 318 is configured to engage at least a portion of theelongate medical device 390 (e.g., to form a seal between the medicalconnector 300 and the elongate medical device 390 in the couplingstate). As depicted, the seal 318 may be compressed upon engagement withthe elongate medical device 390 such that a seal is formed between theseal 318 and the elongate medical device 390.

In certain embodiments, the medical connector 300 may lack the seal 318.Accordingly, the shoulder 317 may be configured to sealingly engage theelongate medical device 390 when at least a portion of the elongatemedical device 390 is disposed within the body lumen 316. The medicalconnector 300 may further comprise a proximal shoulder 319 which mayprovide a positive stop for the elongate medical device 390 with respectto the medical connector 300. As shown, the elongate medical device 390need not be in contact with the proximal shoulder 319 in order for theelongate medical device 390 to be coupled to, and sealed with, themedical connector 300.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an elongatemedical device 490 coupled to a portion of a medical connector 400(e.g., as part of a medical connector system). As depicted, the elongatemedical device 490 may include a channel or depression 497 disposedalong or on at least a portion of an outside surface of the elongatemedical device 490. For example, the depression 497 may be an annulardepression that is disposed around the outer surface of the elongatemedical device 490 at or adjacent a proximal or first end 493 of theelongate medical device 490. The depression 497 may engage, or beconfigured to engage, at least a portion of an engagement member 430,for example, when at least a portion of the elongate medical device 490is disposed within at least a portion of a release member lumen 422. Inthe coupling state, as discussed above, one or more resilient elementsor arms 432 of the engagement member 430 may be configured to engage thedepression 497 when at least a portion of the elongate medical device490 is disposed within the release member lumen 422 and/or the bodylumen 416. Analogous to the high friction zone 396, the depression 497may be configured to enhance the coupling of the medical connector 400to the elongate medical device 490 in comparison to an elongate medicaldevice lacking a depression. For example, the depression 497 can engagewith the one or more resilient elements 432 of the engagement member 430to securely couple the elongate medical device 490 to the medicalconnector 400.

As discussed above, a seal 418 may also be disposed within at least aportion of the body lumen 416 (e.g., on or adjacent a shoulder 417),wherein the seal 418 is configured to engage the elongate medical device490 (e.g., to form a seal between the medical connector 400 and theelongate medical device 490 in the coupling state).

In certain embodiments, the medical connector 400 may lack the seal 418.Accordingly, the shoulder 417 may be configured to sealingly engage theelongate medical device 490 when at least a portion of the elongatemedical device 490 is disposed within the body lumen 416. The medicalconnector 400 may further comprise a proximal shoulder 419 which mayprovide a positive stop for the elongate medical device 490 with respectto the medical connector 400. As shown, the elongate medical device 490need not be in contact with the proximal shoulder 419 in order for theelongate medical device 490 to be coupled to, and sealed with, themedical connector 400.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of anelongate medical device 590 coupled to a portion of a medical connector500 (e.g., as part of a medical connector system). As depicted, theelongate medical device 590 may include a ridge 598 disposed on at leasta portion of an outside surface of the elongate medical device 590. Forexample, the ridge 598 may be an annular ridge that is disposed aroundthe outer surface of the elongate medical device 590 at or adjacent aproximal or first end 593 of the elongate medical device 590. The ridge598 may engage, or be configured to engage, at least a portion of anengagement member 530, for example, when at least a portion of theelongate medical device 590 is disposed within at least a portion of arelease member lumen 522. In the coupling state, as discussed above, oneor more resilient elements or arms 532 of the engagement member 530 maybe configured to engage the ridge 598 when at least a portion of theelongate medical device 590 is disposed within the release member lumen522 and/or a body lumen 516. Analogous to the high friction zone 396and/or the depression 497, the ridge 598 may be configured to enhancethe coupling of the medical connector 500 to the elongate medical device590 in comparison to an elongate medical device lacking a ridge. Forexample, the ridge 598 can engage with the one or more resilientelements 532 of the engagement member 530 to securely couple theelongate medical device 590 to the medical connector 500.

As discussed above, a seal 518 may also be disposed within at least aportion of the body lumen 516 (e.g., on or adjacent a shoulder 517),wherein the seal 518 is configured to engage the elongate medical device590 (e.g., to form a seal between the medical connector 500 and theelongate medical device 590 in the coupling state).

In certain embodiments, the medical connector 500 may lack the seal 518.Accordingly, the shoulder 517 may be configured to sealingly engage theelongate medical device 590 when at least a portion of the elongatemedical device 590 is disposed within the body lumen 516. The medicalconnector 500 may further comprise a proximal shoulder 519 which mayprovide a positive stop for the elongate medical device 590 with respectto the medical connector 5300. As shown, the elongate medical device 590need not be in contact with the proximal shoulder 519 in order for theelongate medical device 590 to be coupled to, and sealed with, themedical connector 500.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a medical connector 600. As depicted,the medical connector 600 may include a first release member 620 acoupled to a body 610, wherein the first release member 620 a is coupledto the body 610 at or adjacent a first end 612 of the body 610. Themedical connector 600 may further include a second release member 620 bcoupled to the body 610, wherein the second release member 620 b iscoupled to the body 610 at or adjacent a second end 614 of the body 610.The first release member 620 a may include a first release member lumen622 a in communication with a body lumen 616 of the medical connector600. Analogously, the second release member 620 b may include a secondrelease member lumen 622 b in communication with the body lumen 616.Stated another way, each of the first release member lumen 622 a and thesecond release member lumen 622 b may be in communication with eachother (e.g., fluid communication) via the body lumen 616.

Analogous to the release members discussed above, each of the first andsecond release members 620 a, 620 b may be operatively coupled to anengagement member. The first release member 620 a may be configured toreleasably couple a first elongate medical device 690 a to the medicalconnector 600. Further, the second release member 620 b may beconfigured to releasably couple a second elongate medical device 690 bto the medical connector 600.

As illustrated, the medical connector 600 may be configured to couplethe first elongate medical device 690 a having a first outside diameterOD₁ to the second elongate medical device 690 b having a second outsidediameter OD₂. In some embodiments, the first outside diameter OD₁ may beless than the second outside diameter OD₂, or vice versa. For example,the first elongate medical device 690 a may be a 6 French catheter andthe second elongate medical device 690 b may be a 10 French catheter.Accordingly, the medical connector 600 may couple a 6 French catheter toa 10 French catheter, or vice versa. Other suitable sizes of elongatemedical devices are also within the scope of this disclosure. Forexample, the size of the first elongate medical device may be 4 French,6 French, 8 French, 10 French, or any other suitable size. Likewise, thesize of the second elongate medical device may be 8 French, 10 French,12 French, 15 French, or any other suitable size.

Stated another way, the first release member 620 a may have a firstinside diameter ID₁ while the second release member 620 b may have asecond inside diameter ID₂. In various embodiments, the first insidediameter ID₁ may be less than the second inside diameter ID₂, or viceversa. For example, the first release member 620 a may be configured toreceive and/or releasably couple the first elongate medical device 690a, wherein the first elongate medical device 690 a may be an 8 Frenchcatheter and the second release member 620 b may be configured toreceive and/or releasably couple the second elongate medical device 690b, wherein the second elongate medical device 690 b may be a 12 Frenchcatheter.

FIG. 8A is a partial cut-away view of a portion of a medical connector700, in a first configuration. FIG. 8B is the medical connector 700 in asecond configuration and FIG. 8C depicts the medical connector 700 in athird configuration. As discussed above, the medical connector 700 caninclude a body 710 having a proximal end 712 and a distal end 714.Further, a body lumen 716 can extend through at least a portion of thebody 710.

A release member 720 can be coupled to the body 710 at or adjacent thedistal end 714 of the body 710. As shown, the release member 720 caninclude a release member lumen 722, wherein the release member lumen 722is in communication with the body lumen 716. The medical connector 700can further include an engagement member 730. In some embodiments, theengagement member 730 may be operatively coupled to the release member720. In certain embodiments, the engagement member 730 may be configuredto releasably couple a medical device to the medical connector 700. Forexample, with reference to FIGS. 8B and 8C, a practitioner may disposeat least a portion of an elongate medical device 15 within at least aportion of the release member lumen 722, and at least a portion of theengagement member 730 may be configured to engage at least a portion ofthe elongate medical device 15 such that the elongate medical device 15is coupled to the medical connector 700.

As described above, the engagement member 730 can include one or moreresilient elements 732. The one or more resilient elements 732 may beconfigured to engage a medical device when the medical device isdisposed within at least a portion of the body lumen 716 (e.g., via therelease member lumen 722). For example, the one or more resilientelements 732 may be configured to engage and/or interact with an outersurface of the elongate medical device 15.

In certain embodiments, the medical connector 700 may be configured tocouple the elongate medical device 15 in a partial coupling state (seeFIG. 8B). The medical connector 700 may also be configured to couple theelongate medical device 15 in a full or complete coupling state (seeFIG. 8C). In the partial and/or full coupling states, the release member720 may be disengaged from, or configured to be disengaged from, the oneor more resilient elements 732 such that at least a portion of each ofthe one or more resilient elements 732 deflects radially inward relativeto a longitudinal axis of the release member lumen 722.

The medical connector 700 may include a mechanism and/or components forindicating (e.g., to a practitioner) that the elongate medical device 15(or another medical device) is fully disposed or “seated” within themedical connector 700. In some embodiments, the mechanism may be avisible mechanism. In some other embodiments, the mechanism may beaudible, tactile, etc. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, the medical connector700 can include an indicator member 740. The indicator member 740 can bedisposed within at least a portion of the body lumen 716. Further, theindicator member 740 may be displaceable (e.g., slidably displaceable)within the body lumen 716. For example, upon engagement with theelongate medical device 15, the indicator member 740 may be displaced(e.g., proximally displaced) in relation to the body 710. In someembodiments, the indicator member 740 can include an indicator memberlumen 742, wherein the indicator member lumen 742 is in communication(e.g., fluid communication) with the body lumen 716 and/or the releasemember lumen 722. Further, at least a portion of the indicator memberlumen 742 may be configured to receive at least a portion of theelongate medical device 15.

In certain embodiments, a seal 718 (e.g., an O-ring seal) may bedisposed within at least a portion of the indicator member 740. Forexample, the seal 718 may be disposed within at least a portion of theindicator member lumen 742. In various embodiments, the seal 718 may beconfigured to sealingly engage the elongate medical device 15 when atleast a portion of the elongate medical device 15 is disposed within theindicator member lumen 742. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C,the seal 718 may seal against an outside diameter of the elongatemedical device 15.

An indicia 744 may be disposed (e.g., printed) on a portion of anoutside surface of the indicator member 740. As illustrated, the indicia744 is a printed diagonal bar or line. In some embodiments, the indicia744 may be a circle, a square, a triangle, a number, a letter, or anyother suitable shape or symbol. Furthermore, the indicator member 740may be a first color (e.g., the indicator member 740 may be formed froma red material) and the indicia 744 may be a second color (e.g., theindicia 744 may be formed from a green material). In some embodiments,the indicator member 740 and the indicia 744 may be integral, and, insome other embodiments, the indicator member 740 and the indicia 744 maybe discrete. Other combinations of colors and/or materials of theindicator member 740 and the indicia 744 are also within the scope ofthis disclosure. For example, the indicator member 740 may be printedwith an orange ink and the indicia may be formed from a blue material.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8A-8C, the medical connector 700 canfurther include a window 711. The window 711 may be a transparent memberdisposed in at least a portion of a wall of the body 710. In someembodiments, an opening (instead of a window) may be disposed in aportion of the wall of the body 710. The window 711 can be aligned withthe indicia 744, such that upon proximal displacement of the indicatormember 740, the indicia 744 can be visible through the window 711. Forexample, a practitioner may be able to view the indicia 744 through thewindow 711 when the indicator member 740 has been displaced proximallyin relation to the body 710.

The interaction between the window 711 and the indicia 744 can indicateto the practitioner if the elongate medical device 15 is only partiallydisposed within the medical connector 700 (see FIG. 8B) or if theelongate medical device 15 is fully disposed within the medicalconnector 700 (see FIG. 8C). In certain embodiments, if the elongatemedical device 15 is only partially disposed within the medicalconnector 700, a full seal may not be formed between the elongatemedical device 15 and the medical connector 700. Also, if the elongatemedical device 15 is only partially disposed within the medicalconnector 700, the elongate medical device 15 may not be securelycoupled to the medical connector 700. Accordingly, the indicator member740, the indicia 744, and/or the window 711 may be configured tocommunicate and/or indicate to a practitioner if the medical connector700 is in the full coupling state.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the body 710 may be formedfrom a transparent material and at least a portion of the transparentmaterial may be coated or printed to form a “window” in the body. Thatis, the window may be a portion of the body 710 that is not coated orprinted. Accordingly, the indicia 744 may not visible through the body710 (i.e., due to the printing) unless the indicia 744 is aligned withthe unprinted window portion of the body 710.

With reference to FIG. 8B, the practitioner may dispose at least aportion of the elongate medical device 15 (as indicated by the arrow)through the release member lumen 722 of the release member 720 and intoat least a portion of the indicator member lumen 742. As shown in FIG.8B, the elongate medical device 15 is in the partial coupling state.Upon such a disposition of the elongate medical device 15, the indicatormember 740 is displaced proximally in relation to the body 710; however,the indicia 744 is not visible through the window 711. In the partialcoupling state, the indicia 744 may be partially visible through thewindow 711. Stated another way, a portion of the indicia 744 may bevisible through the window 711 when the medical connector 700 and theelongate medical device 15 are in the partial coupling state.

With reference to FIG. 8C, the practitioner may fully (or substantiallyfully) dispose the elongate medical device 15 through the release memberlumen 722 of the release member 720 and into the indicator member lumen742. As shown in FIG. 8C, the elongate medical device is in the fullcoupling state. Upon such a disposition of the elongate medical device15, the indicator member 740 is displaced proximally in relation to thebody 710 such that the indicia 744 is fully (or substantially fully)visible through the window 711. In the full coupling state, the indicia744 may be fully visible through the window 711 and indicate that theelongate medical device 15 is fully disposed or seated within themedical connector 700. Stated another way, substantially all of theindicia 744 may be visible through the window 711 when the medicalconnector 700 and the elongate medical device 15 are in the fullcoupling state.

The medical connector 700 may further include a proximal shoulder 719disposed within a portion of the body lumen 716. The proximal shoulder719 may interact with a proximal end of the indicator member 740 toprovide a positive proximal stop for the indicator member 740 and/or theelongate medical device 15 with respect to the medical connector 700.For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 8C the proximal end ofthe indicator member 740 is disposed in contact with the proximalshoulder 719.

As illustrated, the body lumen 716 of the medical connector 700 issubstantially I-shaped. Stated another way, the body lumen 716 includestwo openings, wherein one opening is disposed at or adjacent the distalend 714 of the body 710 and a second opening is disposed at or adjacentthe proximal end 712 of the body 710. As stated above, otherconfigurations of the medical connector 700 are also within the scope ofthis disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the medical connectormay include two or more release members and/or indicator members.

Other configurations of medical connectors, such as the medicalconnectors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 are also within the scopeof this disclosure. In certain embodiments, a medical connector mayinclude a first release member on a first end of the medical connectorand a second release member on a second end of the medical connector,and each of the first release member and the second release member mayhave substantially similar inside diameters and/or outside diameters. Insome embodiments, a medical connector may only include a release memberon one end of the medical connector (e.g., a first end) while theopposite end of the medical connector (e.g., a second end) includesanother type of connector such as a luer connector, an interference fitconnector, a snap connector, etc. In some other embodiments, a medicalconnector may include one release member on a first end of the medicalconnector and two release members on a second end of the medicalconnector. In yet some other embodiments, a medical connector may havefour arms and a release member may be coupled to an end of each of thefour arms.

Embodiments wherein the medical connector lacks release members are alsowithin the scope of this disclosure. For example, a practitioner maydesire that a patient be inhibited or prevented from uncoupling themedical connector from one or more medical devices. Stated another way,the medical connector may be “patient proof” such that a patient cannottransition the medical connector from the coupling state to theuncoupling state.

In some embodiments, the medical connector may include more than onebody lumen. For example, the medical connector may include two, three,four, or more lumens. In certain embodiments, the medical connector mayinclude one or more valves. For example, a valve may be disposed withinat least a portion of the medical connector. The valve may be configuredto inhibit or prevent flow of a fluid through the medical connector whenthe medical connector is uncoupled from another medical device. Uponcoupling of the medical connector to the medical device the valve may beconfigured to transition from a closed state to an open state.Accordingly, the valve may only be configured to open when the medicalconnector is coupled to one or more other medical devices. Such a valvemay limit or prevent a fluid from leaking through the medical connectorwhen the medical connector is not coupled to a desired medical device(e.g., such as a drainage bag). Other configurations of medicalconnectors, release members, etc. are also within the scope of thisdisclosure.

The medical connectors of the present disclosure may enhancecommunication (e.g., fluid communication) between a first medical deviceand a second medical device, which are coupled via the medicalconnector, in relation to some other first and second medical devices,which may be coupled via other coupling mechanisms. For example, someother coupling mechanisms may include a barb, wherein a first end of thebarb is disposed in an inner diameter of a portion of a first medicaldevice and a second end of the barb is disposed in an inner diameter ofa portion of a second medical device. Such a coupling mechanism candecrease the dimensions of at least a portion of the inner diameters ofthe first and second medical devices. Accordingly, fluid communicationmay be at least partially obstructed between the first medical deviceand the second medical device. In contrast, the medical connectors ofthe present disclosure can be disposed around an outer diameter of aportion of a first medical device and/or an outer diameter of a secondmedical device such that the dimensions of the inner diameters are notsubstantially altered or changed and fluid communication between each ofthe first medical device and the second medical device is notsubstantially obstructed and or inhibited.

Medical connectors according to the present disclosure may be formed ina variety of sizes. For example, as stated above, the medical connectormay be sized so as to be coupled to an elongate medical device that is 4French, 5 French, 6 French, 7 French, or any other suitable size. Themedical connector may also include two or more release members and/orengagement members. Each of the release members and/or engagementmembers may be configured to couple a differently sized elongate medicaldevice. That is, one end of the medical connector may be sized to couplean elongate medical device that is 6 French and another end of themedical connector may be sized to couple an elongate medical device thatis 10 French. In contrast, some other coupling mechanisms (e.g., luerconnectors) may only be available, for example, in two sizes or anotherlimited number of sizes.

Methods of using the medical connectors are also disclosed herein. Acatheter (e.g., a 10 French catheter) may be used for drainage. Forexample, the catheter may be used by a practitioner to drain a fluidfrom a cavity within a patient. The practitioner may cut the catheterand couple the cut end of the catheter to a first end of a medicalconnector. A second catheter (e.g., a catheter that is configured toempty into a drainage bag) may be coupled to a second end of the medicalconnector. Accordingly, the medical connector may be configured for useby the practitioner in a medical drainage procedure. In someembodiments, the drainage catheter may have a high flow level and thedrainage catheter may be coupled via the medical connector to a drainagebag and/or a suction device (e.g., a vacuum).

In certain embodiments, drainage bags for use with medical connectors ofthe present disclosure may include a connection member for coupling thedrainage bag to the medical connector. In various embodiments, theconnection members may include a standard outside diameter such that theconnection members may be coupled to the medical connectors. In variousother embodiments, the connection members may include a variety ofstandardized outside diameters (e.g., there may be two, three, or morestandard sizes of the outside diameters of the connection members).

In some embodiments, a practitioner may cut a catheter for lengthadjustment and the practitioner may use a medical connector to couplethe cut end of the catheter to a second catheter or other medical device(e.g., a syringe). In contrast, in configurations wherein a catheter hasa luer connector for coupling the catheter to a medical device thecatheter may not be configured to be cut for length adjustment, ascutting the catheter may remove the luer connector. Medical connectorsaccording to the present disclosure, however, may be coupled to acatheter that has been cut (e.g., for length adjustment).

In various embodiments, the medical connectors may be used with ahigh-pressure line or catheter (e.g., a line used in conjunction with aheart pump). The high pressure within the high-pressure line may exert aforce on an internal surface of the high-pressure line (e.g., a radialforce directed outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of thehigh-pressure line). Such a force may at least slightly expand a wall ofthe high-pressure line such that a dimension of an outside diameter ofthe high-pressure line increases. Accordingly, the increased outsidediameter of the high-pressure line may tend to “seat” an end of the linewithin a medical connector. Stated another way, an outside surface ofthe high-pressure line may be pressed against an inside surface of aportion of the medical connector and the coupling between each of themedical connector and the high-pressure line may be enhanced and/orstrengthened. The medical connector according to the present disclosuremay also be sufficiently strong and/or durable to couple a first line toa second line when a high pressure fluid is flowing between each of thefirst line and the second line.

As can be appreciated, additional methods and/or method steps can bederived from FIGS. 1-8C and the corresponding disclosure. Any methodsdisclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performingthe described method. The method steps and/or actions may beinterchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific orderof steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment,the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

References to approximations are made throughout this specification,such as by use of the term “substantially.” For each such reference, itis to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, orcharacteristic may be specified without approximation. For example,where qualifiers such as “about” and “substantially” are used, theseterms include within their scope the qualified words in the absence oftheir qualifiers. For example, where the term “substantially Y-shaped”is recited with respect to a feature, it is understood that in furtherembodiments, the feature can have a precisely Y-shaped configuration.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “theembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with that embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variationsthereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Similarly, in the above description of embodiments, various features aresometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, ordescription thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Thismethod of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that any claim require more features than those expresslyrecited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of anysingle foregoing disclosed embodiment.

The claims following this written disclosure are hereby expresslyincorporated into the present written disclosure, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includesall permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims.Moreover, additional embodiments capable of derivation from theindependent and dependent claims that follow are also expresslyincorporated into the present written description.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the artcan use the preceding description to utilize the invention to itsfullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to beconstrued as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation ofthe scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent tothose having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the presentdisclosure, which changes may be made to the details of theabove-described embodiments without departing from the underlyingprinciples of the disclosure herein. In other words, variousmodifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosedin the description above are within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, the order of the steps or actions of the methods disclosedherein may be changed by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure. In other words, unless a specificorder of steps or actions is required for proper operation of theembodiment, the order or use of specific steps or actions may bemodified. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

1. A medical connector, comprising: a body having a first end and asecond end; a body lumen extending through the body between the firstend and the second end; a first release member coupled to the first endof the body, the first release member comprising a first release memberlumen in communication with the body lumen; and a first engagementmember operatively coupled to the first release member, the firstengagement member deflectable in a radially outward direction to receivea first medical device, the first engagement member configured toreleasably couple the first medical device to the medical connector. 2.The medical connector of claim 1, further comprising: a first sealdisposed within the body lumen adjacent the first release member lumen,the first seal configured to sealingly engage the first medical devicewhen the first medical device is disposed within the body lumen.
 3. Themedical connector of claim 1, further comprising: a second releasemember coupled to the second end of the body, the second release membercomprising a second release member lumen in communication with the bodylumen; and a second engagement member operatively coupled to the secondrelease member, the second engagement member deflectable in a radiallyoutward direction to receive a second medical device, the secondengagement member configured to releasably couple the second medicaldevice to the medical connector.
 4. The medical connector of claim 3,further comprising: a second seal disposed within the body lumenadjacent the second release member lumen, the second seal configured tosealingly engage the second medical device when the second medicaldevice is disposed within the body lumen.
 5. The medical connector ofclaim 3, wherein the first release member lumen has a first insidediameter, wherein the second release member lumen has a second insidediameter, and wherein the first inside diameter is greater than thesecond inside diameter.
 6. The medical connector of claim 5, wherein themedical connector is configured to sealably couple a first elongatemedical device and a second elongate medical device, and wherein anoutside diameter of the first elongate medical device is greater than anoutside diameter of the second elongate medical device.
 7. The medicalconnector of claim 1, further comprising: a second release membercoupled to the first end of the body at a position adjacent the firstrelease member, the second release member comprising a second releasemember lumen in communication with the body lumen; and a secondengagement member operatively coupled to the second release member, thesecond engagement member configured to releasably couple a secondmedical device to the medical connector.
 8. The medical connector ofclaim 7, wherein the body lumen is substantially Y-shaped such that twoopenings of the body lumen are disposed at the first end of the body,and such that one opening of the body lumen is disposed at the secondend of the body.
 9. The medical connector of claim 1, wherein the firstengagement member comprises a resilient element, the resilient elementconfigured to engage the first medical device when the first medicaldevice is disposed within the body lumen, wherein the first releasemember is configured to engage the resilient element such that a portionof the resilient element deflects radially outward relative to alongitudinal axis of the first release member lumen in an uncouplingstate, and wherein the first release member is further configured to bedisengaged from the resilient element such that a portion of theresilient element deflects radially inward relative to a longitudinalaxis of the first release member lumen in a coupling state.
 10. Themedical connector of claim 1, further comprising an indicator memberoperably coupled to the body and displaceable between a firstconfiguration and a second configuration to indicate when the firstmedical device is coupled to the connector.
 11. A medical connectorsystem, comprising: a medical connector comprising: a body having afirst end and a second end; a body lumen extending through the bodybetween the first end and the second end; a first release member coupledto the first end of the body, the first release member comprising afirst release member lumen in communication with the body lumen; and afirst engagement member operatively coupled to the first release membersuch that the first release member radially deflects the firstengagement member when the first release member is actuated; and anelongate medical device comprising: an elongate member having a firstend and a second end; and an elongate member lumen disposed within aportion of the elongate member, the elongate member lumen extending fromthe first end, wherein the first engagement member is configured toreleasably couple the medical connector to the first end of the elongatemedical device.
 12. The medical connector system of claim 11, whereinthe elongate medical device further comprises a high friction zonedisposed on an outside surface of the elongate medical device adjacentthe first end, the high friction zone configured to engage the firstengagement member when the elongate medical device is disposed withinthe first release member lumen.
 13. The medical connector system ofclaim 12, wherein the first engagement member comprises a resilientelement, wherein the first release member is configured to engage theresilient element such that a portion of the resilient element deflectsradially outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the first releasemember lumen in an uncoupling state, wherein the first release member isfurther configured to be disengaged from the resilient element such thata portion of the resilient element deflects radially inward relative toa longitudinal axis of the first release member lumen in a couplingstate, and wherein the resilient element is configured to engage thehigh friction zone when the elongate medical device is disposed withinthe body lumen.
 14. The medical connector system of claim 11, whereinthe elongate medical device further comprises a ridge disposed on anoutside surface of the elongate medical device adjacent the first end,the ridge configured to engage the first engagement member when theelongate medical device is disposed within the first release memberlumen.
 15. The medical connector system of claim 14, wherein the firstengagement member comprises a resilient element, wherein the firstrelease member is configured to engage the resilient element such that aportion of the resilient element deflects radially outward relative to alongitudinal axis of the first release member lumen in an uncouplingstate, wherein the first release member is further configured to bedisengaged from the resilient element such that a portion of theresilient element deflects radially inward relative to a longitudinalaxis of the first release member lumen in a coupling state, and whereinthe resilient element is configured to engage the ridge when theelongate medical device is disposed within the body lumen.
 16. Themedical connector system of claim 11, wherein the elongate medicaldevice further comprises a depression disposed on an outside surface ofthe elongate medical device adjacent the first end, the depressionconfigured to engage the first engagement member when the elongatemedical device is disposed within the first release member lumen. 17.The medical connector system of claim 16, wherein the first engagementmember comprises a resilient element, wherein the first release memberis configured to engage the resilient element such that a portion of theresilient element deflects radially outward relative to a longitudinalaxis of the first release member lumen in an uncoupling state, whereinthe first release member is further configured to be disengaged from theresilient element such that a portion of the resilient element deflectsradially inward relative to a longitudinal axis of the first releasemember lumen in a coupling state, and wherein the resilient element isconfigured to engage the depression when the elongate medical device isdisposed within the body lumen.
 18. The medical connector system ofclaim 11, further comprising: a first seal disposed within the bodylumen, the first seal configured to sealably engage the first end of theelongate medical device when the elongate medical device is disposedwithin the body lumen.
 19. A high-pressure fluid displacement medicaldevice, comprising: a medical connector coupled to a distal end of thehigh-pressure fluid displacement medical device, the medical connectorcomprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximalend coupled to the distal end of the high-pressure fluid displacementmedical device; a body lumen extending through the body between theproximal end and the distal end, wherein the body lumen is in fluidcommunication with a reservoir of the high-pressure fluid displacementmedical device; a first release member coupled to the distal end of thebody, the first release member comprising a first release member lumenin communication with the body lumen; and a first engagement memberoperatively coupled to the first release member, wherein the distal endof the medical connector is configured to receive an elongate medicaldevice such that the elongate medical device is coupleable to thehigh-pressure fluid displacement medical device.
 20. The high-pressurefluid displacement medical device of claim 19, wherein the firstengagement member comprises a resilient element, the resilient elementconfigured to engage an outside surface of the elongate medical devicewhen the elongate medical device is disposed within the body lumen,wherein the first release member is configured to engage the resilientelement such that a portion of the resilient element deflects radiallyoutward relative to a longitudinal axis of the first release memberlumen in a first state, and wherein the first release member is furtherconfigured to be disengaged from the resilient element such that aportion of the resilient element deflects radially inward relative to alongitudinal axis of the first release member lumen in a second state.